Eclectic commentary from a progressive voice in the reddest part of the red state

Sunday, June 28, 2015

Ken Paxton issues a hateful opinion - and Reminds us of George Wallace

Ken Paxton, Texas’ criminally indicted attorney general, has issued an opinionthat would, it seems, be an obstruction of justice and a contravention of the United States Supreme Court’s ruling making every citizen of this country equal under the law — allowing same sex partners to enjoy the rights of conferred with a state-sanctioned marriage.

Paxton’s opinion also assured those county clerks with religious opposition to issuing marriage license to same sex couples that a raft of lawyers are standing by to assist those clerks and Paxton in his obstruction of justice and violation of his and their oaths of office. The opinion arises out of a request for “guidance” from Dan Patrick, the hate-mongering lieutenant governor, although it’s unclear why and how Patrick would be impacted by this ruling. According to the hateful pressrelease, Paxton implies that religious freedom is threatened.

The language is odious.

“Indeed, for those who respect the rule of law, this lawless ruling presents a fundamental dilemma: A ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court is considered the law of the land, but a judge-made edict that is not based in the law or the Constitution diminishes faith in our system of government and the rule of law.

Now hundreds of Texas public officials are seeking guidance on how to implement what amounts to a lawless decision by an activist Court while adhering both to their respective faiths and their responsibility to uphold and defend the U.S. Constitution.”

But how can a law be lawless if the very Constitution states the Supreme Court’s rulings are the law of the land?

And here is an even greater irony. The date on the opinion is Sunday, June 28, the Sabbath. As a Bible-thumping, breast-beating nondenominational Christian, Paxton has violated, at least, the Fourth Commandment: Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.

This Supreme Court ruling is unusual. It doesn’t really have losers; no money will be forfeited as a result of the ruling. The hypocrisy and hatefulness of this attorney general contradicts everything Jesus preached. Sometimes you have to wonder how low a public official, and Paxton in particular, can go. I have a feeling we’re far from seeing him reach bottom.